totally southern

This is the first ALL southern meal I think I've ever made. I decided to be a 'belle' this past weekend and made Chinese Teriyaki Spareribs, Martha's Mac, and Creamed Spinach. They were all delicious. I had never made ribs before so I was a bit intimidated but they turned out great. Get daring and try them, are you drooling yet?


Ingredients

* 2 racks pork spareribs, 4 pounds each, trimmed of excess fat
* 1/2 cup Chinese five-spice powder
* Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for garnish
* Chopped fresh cilantro leaves and green onion, for garnish

Teriyaki Glaze:

* 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
* 1 cup grapefruit juice
* 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
* 1/4 cup ketchup
* 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1 fresh red chile
* 2 garlic cloves, smashed
* 2-inch piece fresh ginger, whacked open with the flat side of a knife

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Rub the ribs all over with the five-spice powder; season generously with salt and pepper. Arrange the ribs in a single layer in a roasting pan and slow-roast for 2 1/2 hours.

To prepare the teriyaki glaze: Meanwhile, in a pot, combine the soy sauce, grapefruit juice, hoisin sauce, ketchup, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, chile, garlic, and ginger over medium heat. Bring to a slow simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 20 minutes.

In the last 30 minutes of cooking, baste the ribs with the teriyaki sauce. When they are done, the pork will pull away from the bone and you will see about 1/2-inch of bone showing. Just before you're ready to eat, baste the ribs with the teriyaki sauce again and stick them under the broiler for 5 to 8 minutes to make the spareribs a nice crusty brown. (Keep a close eye on these guys - ribs go from perfectly crisp to perfectly burnt seconds.) Separate the ribs with a cleaver or sharp knife, pile them on a platter, and pour on the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and green onion before serving.